NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Drive-by thieves have been hopping out of cars and robbing pedestrians at gunpoint in New York City, with at least 26 robberies linked to the group over just eight days, the NYPD said Friday.
All of the robberies have occurred in the Bronx or Upper Manhattan in a spree covering 10 NYPD precincts. The first reported incident was on May 26, while the most recent one was on June 2.
In each robbery, several armed men hop out of one of three vehicles—a black SUV, a black Mercedes-Benz sedan or a black 2013 Volkswagen Passat—and rob people walking on the street.
Police said there are five suspects in total. At least four of them are males, and at least two are believed to be in their 20s.
Most of the robberies occurred in the early morning hours, although several happened later in the morning, including two after 10 a.m.
The largest share of robberies was in Allerton, but the thieves have hit across the Bronx, including in the Wakefield, Soundview, Edenwald, Baychester, Pelham Bay, Highbridge, Kingsbridge, Mott Haven, Van Nest and Crotona Park East sections. Pedestrians in Inwood and Hudson Heights in Manhattan have also been targeted.
The victims include both men and women and range in age from 23 to 68. Police said none of them reported being injured.
Video released by the NYPD on Friday shows the first reported robbery on May 26, when a 42-year-old man was mugged as he walked near Wallace and Mace avenues in Allerton.
As the man was crossing the street, a black Volkswagen stopped in front of him. Three men jumped out of the car and robbed him of a Gucci bag and $120 in cash, police said.
The robbers followed the same MO in the other 25 robberies—robbing a pedestrian as they walked down a street and then fleeing in a vehicle.
The thieves have netted at least $1,280 in cash, although the actual amount is likely much higher, as they’ve also stolen wallets, phones, jewelry, and undetermined amounts of money, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
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